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You’re 29 weeks pregnant, and that baby is getting stronger! Here’s what to know about this week of your pregnancy.
How Big is Baby?
At 29 weeks, that sweet babe is just over 15 inches long.
What’s New with Baby?
“The baby has started to store fat, which will help regulate their temperature at birth,” says Dr. Christina Herrera, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Muscles in the arms and legs are more readily apparent, their hair continues to grow, their bones are getting stronger, and they begin to open and blink their eyes. “A baby born at this point has a 90% chance of survival without any significant impairment,” Herrera says.
Christina Herrera, M.D., is an assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UT Southwestern Medical Center. She specializes in imaging and placental pathology related to pregnancy complications such as hypertension and pre-eclampsia.
What’s New with Mom?
Braxton Hicks contractions will become more frequent around this time. Don’t worry, Mom; they’re completely normal (refer back to Week 26 for more details and how to tell whether you’re feeling Braxton Hicks or labor contractions). At 28 weeks pregnant, you may also feel more discomfort from your growing uterus (particularly round ligament discomfort), as well as an increased need to urinate due to the pressure on your bladder. While there’s nothing to reduce your frequency of using the bathroom (remember, you need to stay hydrated!), taking a warm bath, doing gentle stretches, or drinking water can help with mild cramping and round ligament discomfort.
Fun Fact
During the third trimester, baby will grow to triple their size! As such, you’ll gain about a half to 1 pound each week, Mom. While that aspect might not sound like a “fun fact,” try not to obsess about the number on the scale. The weight means baby is growing—just remember to stay active and eat healthy foods.
What Should Know About Vaccines During Pregnancy
Okay, Mom. Prepare yourself. We’re about to share some scary information—but we want to ensure you and your baby stay healthy and safe. Women who are pregnant and contract influenza have a higher chance of severe illness and pneumonia with increased rates of hospitalization and admission to the intensive care unit, according to Herrera. “In cases of severe illness, preterm delivery and maternal death can occur,” she says. Influenza infection can also cause stillbirth, low birth weight and birth defects due to hyperthermia.
But there is good news: Getting the flu shot during pregnancy is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your baby—and it’s completely safe. In fact, getting the vaccine during pregnancy can reduce the risk of infection by up to 50% and the risk of being hospitalized by an average of 40%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
When vaccinated during pregnancy, “Mom’s immune system generates antibodies to protect her from the flu,” Herrera says. “These antibodies can pass through the placenta to her baby and provide protection for her baby in the first six months of life.”
She recommends pregnant moms ideally get the flu vaccine by the end of October, but anytime during the flu season is encouraged.
Concerned about potential side effects? “Rarely patients with significant allergies may require administration under observation in either an inpatient or outpatient medical setting. Common side effects are generally mild and include soreness, redness and/or swelling where the shot was given as well as headaches, low grade fever, muscle aches and fatigue,” Herrera says.
But the flu vaccine isn’t the only one you should consider. Providers also recommend that you get the Tdap vaccine between 27–36 weeks to protect your baby from pertussis (whooping cough), which can be fatal to infants younger than 2 months old. “Women who receive the vaccine at the earlier part of this window have been shown to maximize passage of their antibodies to their baby at delivery,” Herrera says.
Remember: The protection both vaccines offer baby can be critical as their immune system is not yet mature.
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This blog is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute the provision of medical advice or professional services. This blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
The above article was written by DFWChild contributor Katelin Walling with information provided by UT Southwestern Medical Center as part of their sponsored content.
